A university has received a further boost to its multi-million pound sports facilities to help shape athletes of the future.

Durham University has successfully bid for £500,000 of National Lottery funding to install a new artificial grass pitch, bringing the total investment in sports facilities at its sites over the last three years to almost £13m.

The latest grant has been awarded from Sport England’s new Improvement Fund. Together with the existing facilities at the university’s Maiden Castle site on the edge of Durham City, the pitch will enable it to offer additional playing hours.

Dr Peter Warburton, Dean of Experience Durham, said: “Durham University is absolutely delighted to have received funding from Sport England to install a new artificial pitch in order to further develop rugby, football and lacrosse.

“The university is well known for its work with community partners and this additional development will allow us to do considerably more both internally and externally to develop these high profile sports across both the men’s and women’s games.”

It is hoped the new pitch will be available for use at the Maiden Castle site in September.